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I am still on a quest to find a better way to carry a spare tire in my E400 Wagon. Right now, I carry a full size wheel and tire on the rear floor, at least for longer trips. Of course this works, but steals a bit of cargo space.
I would like to remove the useless 3rd row seats, and use the space under the floor if possible. I already have some things stored there, including a lug wrench and jack. The first enlargement would come from removing the aluminum brace (#20 on the diagram). This supports the silly "floor" for any little legs when using the 3rd row. Does anyone know any other purpose for this brace? The next enlargement would require removing or modifying the transverse cross brace (#21). This looks more important. Again, does anyone know what this does?
And oddly enough, the lower pan (#15) is called the Spare Tire Compartment.
I'm also really interested in this. Just picked up my US spec 2018 E400S after ED delivery and I agree removing the #20 brace looks easy, but with unknown structural consequences. I'd like to know both how safe this is, and whether removal of #20m alone will allow a full size wheel to be stored, or whether #21 has to go as well.
Also: how did you go about (or plan to) remove the 'useless' (I completely agree) 3rd row seats? It would be nice to keep the original flat rear cargo floor, and just get rid of the junk (backs and seats) bolted to the underside.
Based on my measurements , after removing the longitudinal aluminum brace the opening measures about 21 inches from front to back (cross brace to plastic trim, with holders for the tow eye and safety triangle--taking out the plastic trim would add about one inch). If the cross brace is removed, the total opening looks like about 25.5 inches.
Given that the stock 245/45-18 tire diameter is about 27 inches, there would still not be enough space--but close enough to keep me thinking.
As for the 3rd row seats, the bottom simply lifts off the hinges when the panel is rotated to vertical. The seat back looks easy to unbolt. I would then create a one-piece replacement panel, with look-alike carpet.
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